Aboriginal Family Support Services

04/09/2026

I caught up yesterday with some of the crew from Aboriginal Family Support Services and Relationships Australia SA who deliver our Family Group Conferences in partnership with the Department for Child Protection.

Family group conferences bring parents, extended family members and support networks together to develop an environment that helps keep children and young people safe, most often at home or within the extended family structure.

Family group conference services continue to demonstrate the importance of hearing directly from children and empowering families to make
lasting changes together.

01/09/2026

🕯️ World Su***de Prevention Day | 10 September

This World Su***de Prevention Day, we come together as community to remember and honour those we have lost, support those who may be struggling, and remind one another that no one should have to walk alone.

Join us at Yitpi Yartapuultiku on Thursday, 10 September at 5:30 pm for a Candlelight Vigil - an opportunity to yarn, listen, connect and share strength, compassion and hope.

The evening will close with a light supper and time together as community.

🕯️ Please bring a candle in a jar to symbolise hope and remembrance.

Hosted by:
Ngangki Wangkarta

Supported by:
Aboriginal Family Support Services
City of Port Adelaide Enfield
Port Adelaide Su***de Prevention Network
Supporting Healing For Families

26/08/2026

The Regional IFS team (Summa, Jenny, and Margi) had a fantastic time at the Shaping Deadly Minds event in Whyalla at the Gabmididi Manoo Children & Family Centre!

It was truly special to watch the Dusty Feet Mob and see the children engaging so joyfully with the dancers. We know that from the very beginning, connection through yarning, sharing stories, and singing to our bubs - is where learning starts.

A huge thank you to Raising Literacy Australia for the generous literacy packs. These resources, filled with culturally responsive activities and books, are a wonderful way to help our little ones build language and a strong sense of belonging to family, culture, and Country.

We’re so grateful to have been part of such a meaningful day and wish the Shaping Deadly Minds team all the best as they launch this exciting new pilot program!

20/08/2026

BLOOM, our new program connecting our young people through Culture, Identity and Belonging.

The CS&W team came together this week for BLOOM training, with the added bonus of welcoming our remote team members who travelled down to join us.

BLOOM provided an opportunity for staff to reconnect with the grass roots of culture, identity, values and belonging, while reflecting on how these are supported in our work with children, young people and families.

Having our remote staff join us in person made the experience even more meaningful – a chance to connect beyond teams, share stories and strengthen relationships across our metro and remote teams.

BLOOM is about validating identity, empowering our younger generations and creating a strong sense of belonging.

19/08/2026

Celebrating Children’s Day 2026 🖤💛❤️

On Friday the 7th of August, AFSS proudly celebrated National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day at St Clair Recreation Centre, bringing together more than 700 children, families, carers, Elders, community members and partner organisations.

This year’s theme, “Living Our Truth,” came to life through culture, music, storytelling and activities, with performances from Tarnda, Tilly Tjala Thomas, Imbala and Bec Gollan.

Our new CE, Shona Reid, also joined us for her first Children’s Day with AFSS, connecting with children, families, carers and community.

A huge thank you to everyone involved, particularly our Kinship & Foster Care Team for making the day such a success! 🖤💛❤️

12/08/2026

We are pleased to have received the collection of series books created through the ‘Our Yarning’ project.

Delivered by Library For All in partnership with Aboriginal Family Support Services, the project brought local First Nations storytellers together through a series of writing workshops to share their stories, knowledge and lived experiences.
Launched on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, the books celebrate culture, identity and community, ensuring local First Nations stories can be shared and enjoyed by generations to come.

Beautifully illustrated, you can reserve these books here - https://bit.ly/4xBQmH6

11/08/2026

06/08/2026

See you all tomorrow!!

🎉 You're Invited to AFSS Children's Day 2026! 🎉

Join Aboriginal Family Support Services for a fun-filled day celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day!

📅 Friday, 7 August
🕙 10:00am – 2:00pm
📍 St Clair Recreation Centre
109 Woodville Road, Woodville SA

Bring the whole family and enjoy a fantastic day of activities, including:

🎨 Face painting
🖌️ Henna tattoos
📸 Photo booths
🦎 IMBALA Aboriginal Performance Group
🏰 Jumping castles
🏉 Meet representatives from the Port Adelaide and Adelaide Football Clubs
🍔 Delicious food trucks and so much more!

06/08/2026

Our South team celebrated National Pyjama Day today! 💛

National Pyjama Day helps raise awareness and support for children and young people in foster care, while highlighting the importance of creating brighter futures through education, connection and opportunity.

Our new CE, Shona Reid, also happened to bump into a couple of staff from our Kilkenny Foster & Kinship Care team at Woolies this morning before work – all in their PJs! Coincidence? We’re calling that fate!😄

A fun way to support an important cause and raise awareness for children and young people in foster care. 💛

https://fundraise.thepyjamafoundation.com/fundraisers/southinslippers

04/08/2026

A big congratulations to Dawn and everyone involved in the Our Yarning project!

What a wonderful way to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, sharing First Nations stories, culture and knowledge for generations to come.

We can’t wait to hear all about it!

Today, Mayor Lynette Martin joined community members to celebrate the launch of books created through the Our Yarning project.

Delivered by Library For All in partnership with Aboriginal Family Support Services, the project brought local First Nations storytellers together through a series of writing workshops to share their stories, knowledge and lived experiences.

Launched on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, the books celebrate culture, identity and community, ensuring local First Nations stories can be shared and enjoyed by generations to come.

Council was honoured to receive copies of all books produced through the project, which have been generously donated to the Mount Gambier Library collection.

We thank Library For All, Aboriginal Family Support Services, the participating authors, artists, Elders and community members whose contributions helped bring these stories to life.

Learn more about the project: https://libraryforall.org/impact/australia-our-yarning/